Professional development in education sector emphasised

Islamabad : Education secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani on Friday underscored the vital role of continuous professional development in advancing the education system.

During the closing ceremony for a training programme of the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence here, the secretary urged the participants to actively share the knowledge and skills they had gained with their colleagues.

"Such training programmes empower educators with innovative teaching strategies and effective leadership practices, equipping them to create meaningful learning experiences for students and inspire future generations," he said.

The education secretary said that his ministry advocated for competency-based education, which aimed to equip teachers with a diverse set of skills that extend beyond academic knowledge.

He said the approach emphasised the importance of critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and adaptability, fostering the growth of well-rounded individuals who were prepared to tackle real-world challenges.

"By enhancing teachers' competencies, this approach not only benefits students' academic progress and skill development but also enables educators to refine their teaching methods," he said.

According to officials, the eight-day Professional Teaching Knowledge programme was held by the education ministry in collaboration with the American Board and supported by Overseas Pakistanis to enhance the pedagogical and leadership capabilities of teachers and school leaders of the Federal Directorate of Education.

It covered a wide range of subjects, including effective teaching methodologies, curriculum understanding, classroom management techniques, data-driven instructional design, and principles of professional learning and leadership.

The programme featured interactive workshops, peer collaboration sessions, and hands-on exercises, incorporating technology to foster shared learning and skill development among participants.

The ABCTE’s blended teacher training initiative began in August 2023 with the training of 30 FDE-selected master trainers.

The officials said since April 2024, the Professional Teaching Knowledge training had been expanded to benefit over 1,100 school principals and senior teachers.

They said the initiative had so far provided pedagogical leadership training to 588 principals and senior teachers, 59 instructional coaches from the National Institute of Excellence in Teacher Education, and 13 faculty members from the Federal College of Education.

Also, 335 newly inducted teachers have received standardised PTK training facilitated by FDE master trainers, with technical support from ABCTE, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preparing, certifying, and supporting individuals who aspired to enhance their communities by becoming educators.